AA Wireless Android Car Adapter Review: Simply Awesome

I’ve been lucky enough to try out a lot of new cars, which is usually a good thing. Yet why so many car manufacturers still try to convince me that their own sat nav systems are the bee’s knees, when that’s always the case, is beyond me. No, I, like most other sensible people, tend to connect Android Auto or Apple CarPlay when it comes to maps and knowing where I’m going. In my opinion, there are very few in-car systems out there that can beat what Apple and Google have to offer.

In my opinion, there are very few in-car systems out there that can beat what Apple and Google have to offer.

But it gets better. AAWireless Android Auto Dongle is a neat little tool designed to make connecting and staying connected a breeze. The company created this device to simplify connectivity, allowing me to enjoy everything Android Auto has to offer without the hassle of plugging in cables, pairing phones, and the like. The setup process could be a little simpler, but once you do it, it’s awesome.

It’s worth checking the company’s website to ensure compatibility. The device itself is compact and easy to set up, with most of the work done by the supplementary app, which also helps you stay up to date by providing over-the-air updates.

Prices, specifications and availability

AA wireless adapters for Android Auto are available just about everywhere, and depending on where you are, Amazon is the most obvious place. It costs $75 in the US (around £70 in the UK), which I think is reasonable considering the convenience it offers.

Design, appearance and construction materials

Compact, easy to install and cute

While it doesn’t have many highlights, I think the design and construction of the AAWireless adapter is excellent. It is compact, measuring only 9 x 49 x 12 mm and weighs almost nothing. There is a good quality but very short connecting cable in the box. Still, it’s fine for my setup and running. Except for a booklet, that’s it. My only concern is that anyone who tends to lose small things may end up losing it, whether in the car or around the house when it’s not in use. There is a small problem though.

I was also encouraged to update the firmware during the installation process, which was done without any fuss or hassle.

Ease of setup and installation

Installation takes a few minutes to start

Before purchasing the AAWireless adapter, I read some product reviews that sounded like there might be an issue with the setup process. Granted, any issues I encountered were probably caused by not reading up on potential issues beforehand. There’s a small manual in the box, but it turns out it offers little in the way of instructions. Instead, I was pointed in the direction of AAWireless.app. There is also the option of scanning the QR code on the back of the booklet.

Either way, you’ll download the AAWireless app. Its installation process is quick, easy and seamless. I was also encouraged to update the firmware during the installation process, and the app handled it without any effort or hassle. The manufacturer recommends this because it means you’ll be using the latest version, which may help the device work with some lesser-known brands or head units.

Again, before buying an AA wireless adapter, it’s well worth checking out the company’s website, which allows you to check for compatible cars and phones. One thing worth noting is that it doesn’t work with Huawei phones, so if you have one of those phones, it’s best to check out our guide to Android Auto wireless adapters.

User experience and application usage

Support and troubleshooting

The AAWireless app is pretty cool. It’s all black and easy on the eyes, so you can clearly see what you’re doing even if you’re struggling in the harsh light of the car. The software’s homepage is also simple, with four main panes that allow you to select your device, update if needed, and pair your phone. There’s also a Help and Support tab – just in case you need help on your journey.

So far it seems to be working well. It’s worth noting that the AA Wireless website does have some good support information.

The latter was very helpful if any issues arose during setup and included a set of graphics that allowed me to troubleshoot if the dongle wasn’t working properly. The best part, however, is the way the app does most of the work for me. I connected my phone to the AA wireless adapter via Bluetooth and then allowed it to connect via Wi-Fi. Afterwards, the device disconnects from Bluetooth and switches to using Wi-Fi.

In theory, I only have to do this once, and every time I get in the car and want to connect, the Wi-Fi does the hard work and automatically connects to my phone. So far it seems to be working well. It’s worth noting that the AA Wireless website does have some good support information if you need to troubleshoot, some cars and head units may have issues with disconnection from time to time. Of course, there are a lot of different car brands and cell phones on the market, so it’s reasonable to have an elf or two pop up every once in a while. Keeping the app updated seems like the most obvious thing to do if I run into a problem.

Conclusion: Is AAWireless Android Auto Dongle worth buying?

I love this gadget, it’s valuable to me. Not only does it eliminate the hassle of connecting to Android Auto while ditching the cables, it also allows me to use my favorite apps. Google Maps is the most obvious for me, but it also works with Waze, Spotify, etc. So far I’m happy with the setup and performance, although it’s still early days. Still, there really weren’t too many issues, and the app was great at supporting me and troubleshooting when issues arose. Overall, the AA Wireless Android Car Adapter is a very successful story.